Punch for rimless cans



y 1953 F. o. BROOKS 2,637,100

, PUNCH FOR RIMLESS CANS.

Filed May 21, 1952 Fig.

Frazier .0. Brooks INVENTOR.

Patented May 5, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE i PUNCH FOR RIMLESS CANS Frazier 0. Brooks, Ca-Vel, N. Application May 21, 1952, Serial N0. 289,165 "'4 Claims. (01. 30-16) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in can punches and the primary object of the present invention is to provide a punch for rimless cans that is manually forced downwardly into the top of a can in order to forma triangular pouring opening in the top of the can.

Another very important object of the present invention is to provide a can punch including a pointed puncturing element having an angulated extremity and beveled side edges, whereby the extremity will form a small aperture in a can top through which the beveled side edges will pass to form the desired triangular pouring opening or vent.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a can punch of the aforementioned character wherein the puncturing element is formed at one end of an elongated rigid strip, and comprises an ofiset portion having limbs which are inclined relative to the strip with the pointed extremity parallel to the strip, thereby facilitating convenient use of the punch in forming openings in the tops of rimless cans.

A still further aim of the present invention is to provide a can punch for rimless cans, that is extremely simple and practical in construction, strong and reliable in use, neat and attractive in appearance, efficient and durable in operation, inexpensive to manufacture and otherwise well adapted for the purposes for which the same is intended.

Other objects and advantages reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure l is an elevational view of the present invention and showing the same in use for punching and opening in a can, the can being shown partially in elevation and partially in cross section for the convenience of explanation;

Figure 2 is a plan view of a can, whose top wall is provided with an opening formed by the present punch;

Figure 3 is an elevational view of the present invention;

Figure 4 is an enlarged detailed fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially on the plane of section line 4-4, Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an enlarged detailed horizontal sectional View taken substantially on the plane of section line 55 of Figure 3.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein for the purposes of illustration, there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the numeral it represents an elongated rigid, shank-forming strip having its outer end bent to form an offset end portion or puncturing element designated generally by the numeral l2. The puncturing element i2 includes an inner limb M and an outer limb [5, both of which are inclined relative to the shank-forming strip.

Limb it is pointed and isosceles triangular, and the side edges l8 and 2B of the limb it are beveled and meet at the free pointed extremity 22 of the limb which is bent downwardly, as at 24, to a position spaced parallel to the shank as shown best in Figure 4.

A bottle cap removing tongue 26 is struck from the limb M and extends laterally from the opposite side of strip it then the offset portion l2. The free end of tongue 26 is bent downwardly to form a flange 23 for engaging under the edge of a bottle cap over which is disposed the limb M. The limb M, tongue 26 and flange 28 will coact to define a channel 36 (Figure 4) that will receive a cap with the limb M resting on the top of the cap, the tongue 25 resting against the flange of the cap and the lug or flange 2B engaged under the flange of the cap. As the shank is manually raised with limb Hi, rocking on the cap, the flange 28 will pull the cap from the bottle to which it is attached.

The side edges of the limb I l are integrally formed with stop lugs or shoulders 32 and 34 that project laterally outwardly from the side edges l8 and 29 to engage the top of a can and thereby limit downward movement of the end portion I2 through the top of the can.

An elongated hand grip 36, disclosed perpendicular to strip It, is provided with a central slot at its under surface in which the upper end of shank-forming strip it is suitably fixed. The ends of the hand grip 36 are smoothly rounded and the top surface of the hand grip is also smoothly rounded or convex to provide smooth surfaces for a users hand.

In practical use of the invention as a punch for rimless cans C the shank it is horizontal and the user forces downwardly on the grip 36 so that the extremity 22 will form a small aperture in the can top. Continued downward pressure on the hand grip will cause the edges I8 and 20 to enter the aperture formed by the extremity 22, thereby forming a V-shaped opening 0 in the can top. The lugs 32, it will engage the can top to limit penetration of portion i2.

It is preferred that the tool be held over the can with portion l2 positioned as shown in Figure 1, so that the opening 0 will be disposed in the top of the can and taper toward the peripheral edge of the can top. This will result in a substantially V-shaped stream of liquid being poured from the can with the apex of the V-shaped stream facing downwardly, a feature not possible with the commonly available can punches which require the can having a rim.

Having described the invention, claimed as new is:

1. A can'punch comprising an elongated fiat shank terminating in an offset end portion having an outer limb, said outer limb being pointed and having beveled side edges, theeextremityof said outer limb being bent to a position parallel to said shank and forming a penetrating element that will permit an aperture to .bepunchedin a can through which the beveled side edges of the outer limb will pass.

2. A can punch comprising an elongated flat shank terminatingin an offset. end. portion .hav-

What is ing an outer limb, said outerlimb beingpointed and having beveled side edges, the extremityof said outer limb being bent toa position parallel to said shank and forming a penetrating element that will permit an aperture to bepunched in a-canthrough-which the beveled side edges of "extrmity of said outer limb, both of said limbs being inclined relative to said shank, the pointed extremity of said outer limb being bent down- "wardly to-a position parallel to said shank, and

stop.lugs.integrally formed with the side edges of said inner limb projecting laterally outwardly fromthe beveled side edges to engage the top of a can and limit the penetration of the inner limb in a can top.

4. .The combination of claim 3 wherein said hand grip comprises an elongated smoothly rounded member centrally secured to the shank and disposed perpendicular to the shank.

FRAZIER O. BROOKS.

No references cited. 

